hook, line, and sinker

hook, line, and sinker.

Fig. totally. She fell for our story hook, line, and sinker. They believed every word hook, line, and sinker.

See also: and, sinker

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hook, line, and sinker

completely The public isn't swallowing the administration's policies hook, line, and sinker. They made up such a good story that we fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

Usage notes: often used in the forms fall for something hook, line, and sinker or swallow something hook, line, and sinker (to be tricked into believing something without any doubts)

Etymology: based on the idea of a fish so hungry it swallows the hook (the part that catches the fish), the line ( the string) and the sinker (a weight attached to the line to keep it under water)

See also: and, sinker